June's Wine Bargains

Wine Bargains BC Evolves - Arriving Sooner, Easier to Use & Free Monthly Posts

Photo Credit: BCWI

Hello and welcome back to the revamped Wine Bargains BC newsletter.

NEW FORMAT As the number of reviewed great value wines has grown, so has the number of wines included in the newsletter. This has sometimes made for a pretty long and perhaps daunting scroll of detailed wine information to go through. Recognizing that not everyone has that kind of time these days, I have made some changes to the newsletter going forward that I think you will welcome.

LESS IS MORE The biggest change is that I am cutting the number of wines featured by half or less, focusing only on the very best bargains and the very best quality wines under $30.00, available in BCL liquor stores.

NEW CATEGORIES HELP YOU FIND YOUR WINE FASTER To make it easier and quicker for you find the wine that suits your mood, the food or the occasion, there is now a shorter list of wines categorized under headings such as Whites For Chicken and Fish, Wines Under $13.00, California Stand-ins and more. Just have a look below. You can still read or listen to the full reviews, score, and access the store locator link below those category listings

MONTHLY BARGAINS NOW FOR EVERYONE The monthly newsletter listing the best wine bargains in this new format will be now available to both free and paid subscribers but there will also be upcoming new features for paid subscribers.

PUBLISHING SOONER The expanding list of monthly bargains has also meant that it takes longer and longer for me to create and format the newsletter. With my day job and other writing commitments, this has meant that sometimes the newsletter has come out late in the month, giving readers less time to take advantage of the monthly sale. This shorter format will enable me to get the newsletter out sooner.

MORE POSTS FOR PAID SUBSCRIBERS Aside from the BC Wine Bargains newsletter being more focused, easier to use and landing in your inbox sooner, with the time saved by putting out a more focused listing of the monthly bargains, I will be able to provide other types of posts for paid subscribers that could include, focused tastings (e.g. compare five New Zealand pinot noirs) wine tasting tips, quick notes, flash sales, wine region articles and more.

WHAT’S NOT CHANGING As always, the wine bargain reviews are independently and originally written by me (no AI ever) and the wines are widely available (50 stores or more at the time of publication) from B.C. government liquor stores.

There is no advertising, sponsorship or clickbait in BC Wine Bargains and with a few exceptions the wines reviewed are purchased by me.

Best Monthly Value Picks

White SAUVIGNON BLANC - LEFT FIELD MARLBOROUGH New Zealand $19.99 now $14.99 88 points

Red LISBOA RED BLEND - CASA SANTOS LIMA TRADITIONAL Portugal $17.99 now $11.99 89 points

Best Monthly Flavour Pick

SAUVIGNON BLANC - CRAGGY RANGE TE MUNA MARTINBOROUGH New Zealand $31.99 now $28.99 92 points

New Wine Pick

Orange HAMMEKEN CELLARS NANIT ORANGE 2023 Spain $23.99 now $18.99 90 points

Weekday Wines/Good Enough, Under $13.00

White CHARDONNAY - MCGUIGAN THE PICK Australia $14.99 now $10.99 87 points

CHARDONNAY - FINCA LAS MORAS RESERVA Argentina $16.99 now $11.99 87 points

Red LISBOA RED BLEND - CASA SANTOS LIMA TRADITIONAL Portugal $17.99 now $11.99 89 points

MONTEPULCIANO D’ABRUZZO - TERRE DI MARIO Italy $14.99 now $11.99 88 points

Sunday, Family/Friends, Bar­be­cue

White SAUVIGNON BLANC - BRANCOTT ESTATE MARLBOROUGH New Zealand $17.99 now $14.99 88 points

CHARDONNAY - ANGOVE FAMILY CHD 1886 Australia $19.99 now $13.99 88 points

Rosé LISBOA ROSE - CASA SANTOS LIMA LISBONISSIMO Portugal $18.99 now $14.99 88 points

Red SHIRAZ MOUVEDRE GRENACHE - ANGOVE FAMILY SMG 1886 Australia $19.99 now $13.99 88 points

NAVARRA CABERNET SAUVIGNON - REINO DE ALTUZARRA Spain $19.99 now $14.99 88 points

Celebrations/Dinner Party Wines

White SAUVIGNON BLANC - CRAGGY RANGE TE MUNA MARTINBOROUGH New Zealand $31.99 now $28.99 92 points

CHARDONNAY - ZUCCARDI SERIE A Argentina $24.99 now $19.99 88 points

Red CABERNET SAUVIGNON - PENFOLDS MAX’S Australia $30.99 now $25.99 90 points

SHIRAZ - FOURTH WAVE LITTLE GIANT BAROSSA 2022 Australia $30.99 now $25.99 91 points

Bigger, Fruit Forward Reds

CABERNET SHIRAZ MERLOT - PETER LEHMANN CLANCYS Australia $18.99 now $14.99 88 points

MALBEC SYRAH - TILIA Argentina $19.99 now $15.97 87 points

California Stand-Ins

Red CABERNET SAUVIGNON - ECCENTRIC Argentina $18.99 now $12.99 87 points

Easy Reds for Pizza & Pasta

CABERNET SAUVIGNON MERLOT - THE APPLICANT Chile $13.99 now $9.99 87 points

CATALUNYA - TORRES SANGRE DE TORO Spain $17.99 now $13.99 87 points

Whites for Chicken & Fish

RUEDA VERDEJO - MENADE Spain $26.99 now $24.99 90 points

CHARDONNAY - FINCA LAS MORAS RESERVA Argentina $16.99 now $11.99 87 points

Off the Beaten Path/Step Up

Orange Wine

CASTILLA - HAMMEKEN CELLARS NANIT ORANGE 2023 Spain $23.99 now $18.99

Rosé

VINHO VERDE LAGO ROSE Portugal $14.99 now $12.99 87 points

LISBOA ROSE - CASA SANTOS LIMA LISBONISSIMO Portugal $18.99 now $14.99 88 points

Bubbling Up

STELLERS JAY OLIVER - BRUT 2021 Canada $24.99 now $21.99 89 points

SANTA MARGHERITA - VALDOBBIADENE PROSECCO SUPERIORE Italy $26.49 now $22.49 88 points

Argentina

FINCA LAS MORAS RESERVA CHARDONNAY 2024 - ARGENTINA

$16.99 reduced to 11.99 until June 27 - 750 ml.

Here you’ll find mild, pleasant notes of wood, caramel, pineapple and brioche on the nose. This soft and textured chardonnay trades mainly on the influence of lees stirring and malolactic fermentation more than the essence of the fruit. Bottom line, pleasant, easy drinking chardonnay at a very affordable price. 87 Points Medium Smooth Bodied White Find Store Nearest You SKU: 663963

Here’s some quick notes on the two winemaking techniques I mentioned.

Lees are dead yeast cells and sediments from the pulp and skins that settle at the bottom of a fermentation vessel after wine has been fermented and aged. They can contribute complexity, texture and mouthfeel to white and sparkling wines. Their effect can be controlled by the frequency of lees stirring in barrel before the wine is finally filtered and bottled.

Malolactic fermentation is a second fermentation often used with chardonnay whereby the crisp malic acid like that in an apple, present after the first fermentation, is changed to lactic acid like that of milk which has a much softer, rounded mouthfeel and brings buttery or yogurt like flavours.

ZUCCARDI SERIE A CHARDONNAY 2024 - VALLE DE UCO, ARGENTINA

$24.99 reduced to 19.99 until June 27 - 750 ml.

This is not your big, bold, oaky chardonnay. This one comes from one of chardonnay’s other realms. It speaks quietly and elegantly, showing well integrated aromas and wide ranging flavour elements of pear, apple, peach, melon rind, brioche with a touch of nuttiness in the mix. It was aged in 30% neutral oak and stainless steel. It’s understated but classy with a lingering and graceful finish. Lovely stuff. 88 Points Richer, Oak Influenced Whites

Find Store Nearest You SKU: 342400

TILIA MALBEC SYRAH 2023 - ARGENTINA

$19.99 reduced to 15.97 until June 27 - 750 ml.

This drinks mostly like a malbec, as I couldn’t find much trace of the syrah component. It’s pale with a grapey nose that also includes red currant and chokecherry. There’s some silkiness in the finish and the acidity is slightly soft, making it quite approachable. It shows good fruit intensity with some elegance and a touch of poise. A good buy at this sale price. 87 Points Ripe Fruit Forward Red

Find Store Nearest You SKU: 406643

ECCENTRIC CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2022 - ARGENTINA

$18.99 reduced to 12.99 until June 27 - 750 ml.

You will find grapey, confected, very simple ripe berry fruit, and a touch of blackcurrant on the nose. The flavours are similar and combined with a softer acidity makes for a lot of biggish fruit intensity for the money putting it in the wine style neighbourhood of a big Aussie red or California cab. So it’s easy drinking, has some length in the finish and the alcohol is fairly restrained. So, if this is your style, it’s good value at this sale price. 87 Points Ripe Fruit Forward Red

Find Store Nearest You SKU: 419540

Australia

MCGUIGAN THE PICK CHARDONNAY 2022 - AUSTRALIA

$14.99 Reduced to $10.99 until June 27 - 750 ml.

Pale with a touch of gold. It begins with a touch of yeast and oak along with apple and pear. The flavours show dried pear and golden delicious apple and then sweeter, tropical fruit salad notes including pineapple and mango. Though a dry wine, it has a touch of honey/caramel in the ending. A slightly soft acidity makes it very easy drinking and approachable. It would pair with a wide range of dishes. Amazing value. Tasted ✓ 87 Points Richer, Oak Influenced Whites

Find Store Nearest You SKU: 282817

ANGOVE FAMILY CHD 1886 CHARDONNAY 2024 - AUSTRALIA

$19.99 reduced to 13.99 until June 27 - 750 ml.

A light bodied chardonnay having aromas mostly of lees with a touch of apple and melon rind. The texture is soft, clean and mouth filling. The flavours are light but include pear, peach and quince. It finishes with pear or pear skin. It’s refreshing and the elements, are balanced with clean, tight acidity. Tasted ✓ 88 Points Medium Bodied, Smooth White

Find Store Nearest You SKU: 700623

ANGOVE FAMILY SMG 1886 SHIRAZ MOUVEDRE GRENACHE - RIVERLAND, AUSTRALIA

$19.99 Reduced to $13.99 until June 27 - 750 ml.

This shows typical syrah elements such as elegant, quality berry fruits with medium intensity and a touch of pepper. The acidity is fairly placid here, making it easy drinking, soft and very approachable. It’s a kind of restrained fruit bomb with a dash of charm, all at a very agreeable price. The grapes are sourced from the Murray River in the Riverland appellation of South Australia 88 Points Ripe Fruit Forward Red

Find Store Nearest You SKU: 335982

PENFOLDS MAX’S CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2020 - SOUTH AUSTRALIA

$30.99 reduced to $25.99 until June 27 - 750 ml.

Classic, full cabernet sauvignon aromas of blackcurrant, cedar chest and briar. The flavour density on the nose follows through with big bodied flavours of blackcurrant, chocolate with some complexity and distinct briar on the finish. Sizable alcohol provides the big bodied heft but there is also an agreeable fruit intensity combined with a balancing acidity that pulls you along. Cabernet lovers would do well to jump on this. It’s a lot of wine for the money. 90 Points Ripe Fruit Forward Red

Find Store Nearest You SKU: 579680

FOURTH WAVE LITTLE GIANT SHIRAZ 2022 - BAROSSA, AUSTRALIA

$30.99 reduced to 25.99 until June 27 - 750 ml.

There’s a lot going on initially in the glass here, including intense berry fruit, some alcohol heat, stewed plums, black pepper, smoke, floral notes, and tobacco. On the flavour, light bodied for a shiraz, more like a grenache really, but packed with shiraz savour. Initially slightly bitter on the edges but with a rounded and pleasant long aftertaste. After fifteen minutes in the glass it developed more floral notes including lilac, grew more silky in texture and lost the tart edge. A medley of engaging flavours of mulberry, tobacco, lilac and plum jam, with an undercurrent of light graphite/bark/plum skin that melded with the other flavours and provided counterbalance with the long dense fruit. Overall, excellent balance here too with flavourful tannins and well matched acidity that kept the flavours fresh before a lingering finish. All in all a very persuasive wine. The unusual stubby bottle with the the hairy-nosed wombat on the label really stands out on the shelf. 91 Points Ripe Fruit Forward Red

Find Store Nearest You SKU: 128023

PETER LEHMANN CLANCY’S CABERNET-SHIRAZ-MERLOT 2021 - AUSTRALIA

$18.99 reduced to 14.99 until June 27 - 750 ml.

An old standby, very consistent, biggish alcohol, big bodied red flavours of plums and cherry. There’s a slight tarry tang at the end but it is easily abided amidst all the juicy fresh fruit. Fire up the barbie… Tasted ✓ 88 Points Ripe Fruit Forward Red

Find Store Nearest You SKU: 611467

British Columbia

STELLER’S JAY - BRUT 2020 OKANAGAN VALLEY, CANADA

$24.99 reduced to 21.99 until June 27 - 750 ml.

A very dependable great value sparkling wine made with chardonnay, pinot blanc, and pinot noir grapes. Made using the same traditional French “Methode Classique” used in Champagne, it is typically not released until three years after the vintage. The current vintage is 2020. Crisp and complex with a creamy, floral finish. 89 Points Sparkling

Find Store Nearest You SKU: 264879

Chile

THE APPLICANT CABERNET SAUVIGNON-MERLOT 2023 - VALLE CENTRALE, CHILE

$13.99 reduced to $9.99 until June 27 - 750 ml.

The blend here is cabernet sauvignon and merlot and this is a fairly interesting wine for one at this entry level price point. Though simply constructed, the aromas and flavours include herbal versions of cherry and plummy blackberry with a touch of resinous, dry savoury herbs. The drifting charcoal tannins are very soft and include a tang of cherry cough drop. No real fireworks here or anything but a nice wine at a great price point. 87 Points Ripe Fruit Forward Red Find Store Nearest You SKU: 282911

Italy

TERRE DI MARIO 2022 - MONTEPULCIANO D’ABRUZZO, ITALY

$14.99 reduced to $11.99 until June 27 - 750 ml.

Classic, simple but honest, food friendly Italian red with flavours of pomegranate, savoury cherry, olives, dried roses and berry notes. On the lighter side, well balanced with a bright acidity and moderate tannins. Straight forward, authentic Italian red at an unbeatable price. . A great friend to pizza, lasagne and bolognese. If you like this style, get a bunch, you won’t be sorry. 88 Points Savoury Fruit Red

Find Store Nearest You SKU:459342

SANTA MARGHERITA PROSECCO SUPERIORE - VALDOBBIADENE, ITALY

$26.49 reduced to 22.49 On sale until June 27 - 750 ml.

A very light sparkle with tiny bubbles, the bouquet is light lemon and melon. A foamy mousse contained lemon, grapefruit citrus, lime and as it warmed a little (tasted too cold flavours are suppressed, leaving only texture) the flavours bloomed to show, yellow apple, melon, grapefruit, very light stone fruit, and a touch of pear skin or quince. It lingers a bit on the finish, with a fine elegant texture that is very, very light flavoured. 88 Points Sparkling

The “quality pyramid” of Prosecco has a number of levels and complexities but for the selection available in B.C. Liquor Stores, we can simplify a little. Most importantly, look on the label for “DOC” versus “DOCG”. DOC refers to “Denomination of Controlled Origin” while DOCG means “Denomination of Controlled and Guaranteed Origin.” DOC is the more common Prosecco and can be produced from anywhere in a much wider area in the Veneto and Friuli-Venezia Giulia regions. DOCG Prosecco from smaller, sub-regions such as Valdobbiadene is the higher and more distinctive classification of the two. This Santa Margareta Prosecco is a DOCG level wine. The sale price this month makes it similar in price to many popular DOC Proseccos so here is a chance to taste a level up.

Find Store Nearest You SKU:174827

New Zealand

LEFT FIELD SAUVIGNON BLANC 2022 - NELSON, NEW ZEALAND

$19.99 reduced to 14.99 until June 27 - 750 ml.

Favourably priced and consistent, this wine is blended from vineyards across New Zealand. The usual sauvignon blanc gooseberry notes are milder here and include a touch of melon rind and some light tropical fruit notes. For me it’s like a half step towards, French Loire wines made from sauvignon blanc. Overall a gentler version of New Zealand sauvignon that is all persuasion. 88 Points Crisp Dry Whites

Find Store Nearest You SKU: 168498

CRAGGY RANGE TE MUNA SAUVIGNON BLANC - MARTINBOROUGH, NEW ZEALAND 2022

$31.99 Reduced to $28.99 until June 27 - 750 ml.

On the nose a very elegant version of classic sauvignon blanc showing aromas of gooseberry and struck flint with notes of cucumber and light lemon. The palate follows the nose here, adding some floralness and minerality that is all very finely textured and beautifully balanced. This is far above standard New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. The sale price puts this special wine within reach. Find out what sauvignon blanc can be from the right place and in the right hands. 92 Points Crisp Dry Whites

Find Store Nearest You SKU: 614420

BRANCOTT ESTATE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2022 - MARLBOROUGH, NEW ZEALAND

$17.99 reduced to $14.99 until June 27 - 750 ml.

Aromas of wet wool, lemon with some herbal notes of, grass and tarragon. Better balanced and less crisp on the taste unlike some NZ sauvignon blancs with bigger acidic attacks that can overwhelm sauvignon blanc’s subtleties. The restrained acidity lets the lemon, tarragon and other herbal elements through quite nicely and I think it would pair with a wider range of dishes. It has a quite long, pleasant aftertaste. 88 Points Crisp Dry White

Find Store Nearest You SKU: 129528

Portugal

CASA SANTOS LIMA TRADITIONAL LISBOA RED BLEND 2021 - PORTUGAL

$17.99 reduced to 11.99 until June 27 - 750 ml.

Pale in colour with a purple rim, there’s a clear, focused red fruit nose with some intensity. In the glass, the fruit component shows a mix of red currant, blackberry and juicy berry fruit. Overall it’s steadily balanced with very soft tannins. It comes across as one beautiful, sustained piano note. So though not complex it’s very smooth with interesting, fairly intense fruit and a long ending. It’s similar to good gamay (Beaujolais) or mencia grape based wines out of Spain. The value is outstanding and I would bet this might be the lowest price we will see. Tasted ✓ 89 Points Lighter Fruit Red

Find Store Nearest You SKU: 364492

CASA SANTOS LIMA LISBONISSIMO ROSÉ - LISBOA, PORTUGAL

$18.99 reduced to 14.99 until June 27 - 750 ml.

At first, the wine shows aromas of light pink grapefruit, pomegranate, choke cherry and rose petal. The light flavours are very similar with a smooth texture and suppleness in the finish coming from a balanced, subtle acidity. As it warmed a little, the constituent grapes, cabernet sauvignon and the Portuguese grape Castelão began to peek out in the remnants of the finish. All in all a lovely rosé. 88 Points Rosé

‍Find Store Nearest You SKU: 374309

LAGO VINHO VERDE ROSE NON-VINTAGE - PORTUGAL

$14.99 reduced to $12.99 until June 27 - 750 ml.

Made from a single red varietal called Vinhao it is very light on the nose with pink candy floss and rose petal. The flavours are similar with watermelon on the finish. Good acidity and balance here. A great summer drink that is low in alcohol, a real featherweight with a slight spritz and good acidity. Just a tincture of flavour really but will work well if you are looking for a tasty low alcohol wine on the lighter side at an economical price. 87 Points Rosé

Find Store Nearest You SKU: 34411

Spain

REINO DE ALTUZARRA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2021 - NAVARRA, SPAIN

$19.99 reduced to $14.99 until June 27 - 750 ml.

Light, slightly confected raspberry fruit, plum and cherry pit on the nose. Well balanced and structured with light, rounded plum and cherry fruit. Tidy and easy drinking, nothing in excess but nothing too remarkable but still, very good value here at this month’s sale price. Give it some time to open up a little.
The Navarra area is in Northern Spain at the Western end of the Pyrenees where it meets the South West tip of France. Though not a well known Spanish wine region , it has traditionally been a source of rosés and tempranillo based red wines. Recently it has been getting a growing reputation for reasonably priced cabernet sauvignon, merlot and pinot noir. Tasted ✓ 88 Points Savoury Fruit Red

Find Store Nearest You SKU: 326692

Savoury Fruit Reds (think fruit tea, cranberry, tomato sauce, fruit leather)

SANGRE DE TORO TORRES 2021 - CATALUNYA, SPAIN

$17.99 reduced to $13.99 until June 27- 750 ml.

A simple, straight forward dry Spanish red, quite savoury showing dry herbs, a touch of smoke, with clean balanced flavours 87 Points Savoury Fruit Red

Find Store Nearest You SKU: 6585

MENADE VERDEJO 2021 - RUEDA, SPAIN

$26.99 reduced to 24.99 until June 27 - 750 ml.

Clear and bright in the glass, a very appealing, lush, rounded, balanced lemon aroma. This lemon follows through nicely on the taste. With medium body and intensity there is also a touch of passionfruit, Reggiano rind and some citrus pith that add contrast and interest. All of this is perfectly balanced and this would match with all manner of seafood and chicken recipes. Really splendid. 90 Points Medium Bodied, Smooth Whites (Little or No Oak)

Find Store Nearest You SKU: 28100

HAMMEKEN CELLARS NANIT ORANGE 2023 - CASTILLA, SPAIN $23.99 reduced to 18.99 until June 27 - 750 ml.

Engaging aromas of Seville orange, cardamom, honey, butterscotch and cloves. Follows through faithfully with mouthcoating flavours of herbal sweet orange tea, drift of marmalade, cardamom, even a touch of petrol. Reminds me of a generous chenin blanc with a tilt towards oranges. There’s a lovely, lingering, focused balance that fades gracefully into the finish. I would happily drink it just on its own but would match very well with creamier seafood dishes. 90 Points Orange Wine Find Store Nearest You SKU: 236103

What is Orange Wine?
Orange wine is a type of white wine where during the winemaking, the grape skins and seeds are not removed immediately after the grapes are crushed but stay in contact with the juice for days or even months. This is a similar process to that of red grapes. it also the opposite of that of rose wines where minimal skin contact imparts the pink colour.

Here, the skins contain color pigment and tannins that would normally be considered undesirable for white wines. Orange wines will usually taste more like dry red wines because of the white skin tannins and are naturally coloured orange because of the grape skin pigments. It tastes quite distinct from the other wine styles but one of it’s main features is that it pairs well with bolder foods like curry, Thai food, smoked and fried fish, and fermented foods of all kinds.

Wine is big world, feel free to explore!

NEW CHANGES FEEDBACK POLL

I hope you enjoyed the new format. This is a big change for the publication so I would really appreciate the feedback - better? Worse? needs more changes? You can also leave more detailed comments below the poll.

If you would like to see other changes (different categories, more wines, less wines, other helpful features) please Leave a Comment.

Until next time.